Removable opaque insert for envelopes



June 12, 1934.

C. W. TULLAR REMOVABLE OPAQUE INSERT FOR ENVELOPES Filed March 18, 1932 .7 Inventor By a6". a1.

Alforney Patented June 12, 1934 PATENT OFFICE REMOVABLE OPAQUE INSERT FOR ENVELOPES Chester 'WITuIIar; Detroit, Mich.

Application March 18, 1932, Serial No. 599,744

2 Claims. (Cl. 229-41) My invention relates to an opaque folder for inclosing letters or other mail matter sent in translucent and especially in the so-called window envelopes in which an opening, usually covered with transparent paper, is provided through which the addressees name written on the letter or other inclosure may be read, thus avoiding the rewriting of same upon .an envelope, or of the possibility of the letter being inclosed by error in an envelope directed to another party.

Window envelopes however are open to the objection that unless the paper surrounding the window is opaque, letters inclosed in the envelope may be easily read upon holding the same over an electric or other strong light.

The window envelope is also open to the further objection that written matter adjacent to the superscription of the letter may be read through the window by bowing the envelope sufficiently to cause the inclosure to separate itself from the envelope, thus exposing the matter adjacent the opening and normally covered by the body of the envelope.

It is the purpose of the present invention to overcome these and other objectional features of the window envelope while still retaining the advantages secured through its use.

One of the objects therefore of this invention is to provide folders of suitable size adapted to fit envelopes of standard size and shape, and with openings registering with the window envelopes in general use.

The folder is constructed of an opaque and relatively light weight paper, preferably of contrasting color to that of the envelope and with an opening registering with the opening in the envelope in which it is to be inserted. The opening in the folder may be the same size as the window opening in the envelope, but is preferably smaller in order that its marginal edge may project over the edge of the transparent portion of the envelope,-thus forming a border of contrasting color bounding the superscription as seen through the window of the envelope,- and which serves to direct attention to the name of the addressee.

The projecting marginal edge of the folder also serves a further purpose, and that is to more effectually conceal any writing adjacent the name of the addressee on the letter inclosed with- 4 in the envelope.

An important use of this device is for inclosing checks in window envelopes, which frequently are mailed without other inclosures. In such cases the name and address of the payee on the check serves as the usual address for the envelopes-but without the folder, the amount of the check may be easily read by prying eyes upon holding the envelope over an electric light bulb or other strong light.

Another use of the folder is that it may be employed to print advertising matter relating to the business of the sender,--for postal rates, or other data.

Postal regulations prohibit the use of window envelopes that'disclose the contents of an inclosed letter,-other than the name and address of the person to whom it is sent. It is well known however that letters are often carelessly folded and frequently shift within the envelope, thereby causing the name of the addressee to be hidden from view, or portions of the letter to be exposed, which are not intended to be seen.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, 5 the invention further resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes may be made in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed without departing from the spirit of the same.

In the drawing accompanying this specification:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a window envelope.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the opaque folder with a portion of one wall of the folder broken away to expose a check inclosed between the folds.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a window envelope, with a folder and a letter inclosed between its' folds inclosed in the envelope,--the name of the addressee being disclosed through the Window.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view through the folder taken on or about line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Referring now to the reference characters placed upon the drawing:

A denotes an envelope provided with a window opening B, which may be covered with a transparent sheet C secured to the inside of the envelope.

D indicates a folder of a size suited to the envelope in which it is to be inserted. The folder D is constructed of relatively light opaque paper and is provided with an opening E adapted to register with the opening B, in the envelope. The opening however in the folder is preferably smaller relatively, to permit the marginal edge D surrounding the opening in the folder to overlap the transparent paper 0 covering the window opening of the envelope.

The folder in addition to being opaque is preferably of a color that will contrast favorably with the envelope in which it is inserted, that it may present a border surrounding the name of the addressee of the letter inclosed within the folder. The contrasting border serves to direct the eye to the name and address of the party to whom the letter is sent.

Checks F are frequently mailed without any other inclosures in payment of bills and a Window envelope fitted with an opaque folder has been found particularly satisfactory, as there can be no chance of error through inclosing the check in the wrong envelope.

The objection however to sending a check in an ordinary window envelope is as previously stated, in addition to exposing the name and address of the payee, the amount of the check or other data written thereon may also be read by bowing the envelope 0 as to separate the check from the wall of the envelope.

In the use of the folder however, any attempt to bow the envelope A to separate the check F therefrom, would result in the folder bowing with and covering the check, thus concealing any matter, such as the amount of the check, written adjacent to the payees name.

The folder D may if desired be perforated or scored along the line of the fold d to insure folding the sheet in a straight line parallel with its outer marginal edges, and one wall of the folded sheet may be wider than the other to aid in opening the folder for receiving or removing an inclosure. I

If desired, the folder may have applied to it at some convenient point an adhesive al which when moistened will serve to secure an inclosure. against moving relative to the window opening,- that the address may not be concealed through slippage.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In combination with an envelope provided with a window opening, a removable folded sheet of opaque paper provided with an opening adapted to register with the opening in said envelope, and to receive betweenits folds a letter or the like, one of the folds of said insert being wider than the other, whereby they may be readily separated.

2. A removable insert for envelopes, comprising a folded sheet of opaque material provided with an opening adapted to register with the opening in an envelope, and adhesive means for securing an inclosure within said insert against slippage relative to said openings.

CHESTER W. TULLAR. 

